How big is big enough? (boat purchase)

[Jim Harding]

My wife and I have decided that we have had enough of flying and want to invest in a nice cruiser. We have done the camping thing in various campers so we have that type of experience behind us.

My question to all of you experienced owners out there is how big is big enough? Here is what we want to do with our boat purchase:

Spend anywhere from 3 - 7 days on the boat - likely will be located at Lake of the Ozarks. Eat/sleep/etc. on the boat without staying at a hotel. Anchor the boat at night in quiet coves. Dock at restaraunts and other entertainment venues in the evening when we want to. (boat can't be too big to do this??)

We have been looking at 30' - 34' Sundancers and Weekenders. We know that have twin engines is a must. A/C-Gen a must as well.

Is this a good sized boat for this type of usage? Any suggestions? Are we going to feel cramped after 5 or 6 days in this boat?

Sorry about the newbie questions but I have to start asked somewhere before I write a big check in a couple of weeks. Thank you in advance to all who take the time to respond. I appreciate it very much!

Jim

 

[Frosty]

How Big is Big enough

If you are looking to spend 3-7 nights abord without feeling cramped, 41 ft is almost as small as you want to get. It allows you to spend as much time as you want in the cabin without going crazy. The looks you will get when you pull up to a restaraunt will make you feel great also. If you have friends over, and the weather gets bad, you can go into the cabin and everyone have their space.

You also mentioned "investing" in your first cruiser. It's not an investment, because of the depreciation, consider buying used, no older than 2000-2001, diesel's are a must.

 

[Jim Harding]

Thanks Frosty for the reply. This will be our first boat so I was trying to not go too big to start with but I do understand what you are saying. It was the same when we were camping with our kids. The camper got very small by the end of the week. Good point about the diesels as well but it seems that you have to look pretty hard to find them.

Thanks!

Jim

 

[Kevin Smith]

First Sea Ray Cruiser

Jim,

The wife & I spend a lot of time on our boat and really enjoy it, but how you enjoy it is important.

IE
-There is only the two of us, so we only need room for two and so we do not have another berth. Are you taking another couple or kids along?
-We have camper canvas, so we can entertain (eat and drink) in the cockpit area when we have company on our boat
-Our AC Heat is excellent and vented to keep the area under the camper canvas comfortable.
-How far will you be cruising and how many hours are you going to be putting on the boat. So Gas or Diesel may or may not be important if you are not putting a lot of hours on a boat?
-How long will you keep this particular boat? If you are going to try boating with this one and move to a larger boat in a couple of years, diesels may not pay for themselves unless you put 1,000 hours plus on this boat. Diesels will likely be a good choice when you finally pick your dream boat.

Your idea to post hear is great! You should continue to take your time and talk to as many people as you can find before you buy. You may also want to rent a boat and try it first before you buy.

Good luck with your decision.

Regards,
Kevin Smith

 

[Forensic22]

re: how big is big?

Well Jim, I know it has been a while since you posted this question. Did you buy anything yet? If not, I just bought a 30 sundancer this season and I already outgrew it. My wife and I do the same things you are looking to do but there is no ac when underway, only when docked. It gets hot in there. You have no option to be inddors in comfort if the weather goes bad. We are upgrading to the 42 sedan bridge by next season. much more space and really nice looking.

 

[keithmartin1]

I would suggest a 1986-1990 340 sundancer. We have spent up to 14 days on board. Our kids are "boating" kids, and that makes a difference. The 340 can also be handled alone if you are an accomplished skipper.

The 400 or 420 sedan bridge is also a good solution if you like that style of boat. A mid 80's 360 aft cabin is an excellent boat if you can find one.